Schedule Preview & Breakdown
Richmond v Sydney
Thursday night football is on again this week and what a cracker of a game this one promises to be.
1st v 2nd on the ladder with the Tigers hosting the Swans in what could be a Grand Final preview.
Sydney and Richmond both enjoyed a bye week freshen up last week but before that, they both enjoyed strong wins over fellow Top 8 sides West Coast and Geelong.
With only a small percentage separating the two on the ladder the winner will take top spot and could also be a game clear with West Coast facing a tough fixture.
Both teams have got stronger at the selection table this week.
The Tigers have regained strong-on baller Dion Prestia while Sydney have their Defensive marshal Mcveigh back in.
Taking a look at the match ups and they are had to split as is expected.
The Swans have super star Buddy up one end and the Tigers have Riewoldt plus their Rioli led small forward brigade up the other.
The Tigers do look more equipped to slow Sydney's scoring with their star back three of Rance, Grimes and Astbury who always give the Tigers advantage in the air.
It was great to see Allir Allir back to his best last week in the Swans backline. If he can keep that intercept marking form going, h'll give the Swans yet another weapon heading into September.
The all important Midfield battle is going to be intriguing but I just think the Tigers bat a bit deeper in this part of the ground, especially with Prestia back.
The Swans are still not getting the best of Jack and Hannebery so will need those two to lift, especially if they want to continue the luxury of pushing Parker Forward.
All in all the Tigers have slighty more weapons than the Swans plus the home ground advantage so I think they will grind out the win here.
Prediction: Richmond by 14 points
Geelong v Western Bulldogs
The Dogs have showed patches in games where they are back to their free-flowing best but just cannot sustain it like they did in 2016.
As the confidence drops in games, skill errors creep in and nothing kills you more in the modern game like turnovers.
Unfortunately for the Dogs their fragile confidence is likely to take another hit this week against a 7th placed Geelong side desperate to stay in touch with the Top 4.
The Big 5 are playing for the Cats; Duncan, Selwood, Menegola, Danger and Ablett with the latter starting to get some continuity in his game.
You can see Ablett's confidence returning and he is starting to dominate in games which is freeing Danger up to be a weapon forward.
The Dogs regained important Defenders Adams and Morris last week which is a plus as they will be much needed against Danger and Hawkins.
They are still missing Macrae in that Midfield which is bad timing as Geelong are arguably the strongest on ball division in the league.
Only a matter of time in this one until the Cats Midfield starts rolling over the top of them and when it does, the scores could get ugly.
Prediction: Geelong by 42 points
Carlton v Port Adelaide
The Blues had a much improved performance against Collingwood last time out in a performance that hints a Blues surprise win may be just around the corner.
It will be tough against an in-form Power outfit especially with Kreuzer out with concussion. The Blues will be buoyed by the return of skipper Marc Murphy.
The Blues could also have an emotional lift in this game given it is club stalwart Kade Simpson's 300th game.
The match ups suggest a comfortable Power win but Casboult will give them something to kick to up Forward and will at best make a contest.
More importantly he will further free up Charlie Curnow who is on the verge of being a superstar already who can heavily influence matches when he is on.
Liam Jones is back in good form down back and is a great match up for Charlie Dixon.
Power bat deeper in the Midfield but Cripps can do the work of 2 men and his battle with Wines will be worth the price of admission alone.
Expect Ports Midfield depth to allow Robbie Gray and a back-in-form WIngard to play more Forward which spells trouble for the Blues.
I expect Carlton to be hyper competitive in this match but I think Power's crafty Forwards like the Gray's and Wingard will just give the Power too many scoring options for the Blues to handle.
Prediction: Port Adelaide by 10 points
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